The Heritage Foundation sent inflammatory surveys on election fraud to Indiana voters. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A survey sent to Noblesville area voters from a national conservative think tank contends election fraud is on the rise as part of illegal attempts to steal elections.
The D.C.-based Heritage Foundation also claims to be nonpartisan, though its website highlights conservative views numerous times. The survey and two-page letter also include inflammatory language such as “immigrant invasion,” “leftists” and “radical media.”
The organization is the key architect behind Project 2025, a controversial blueprint of conservative policies that includes eliminating the Department of Education and reforming several critical federal agencies.
A copy of the letter was shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
“The right to vote in free and fair elections is the most basic civil right we have as citizens of America. All other rights are dependent on this. Every American must be able to trust the voting process and its result, otherwise, the democratic system itself breaks down,” the letter said. “Despite all the evidence, you have probably heard claims that voter fraud doesn’t exist. That’s the baseless narrative constantly pushed by leftist politicians, radical fanatics and their establishment media mouthpieces who vilify any Americans who demand free, fair elections.”
The Heritage Foundation is pushing four key changes:
- Requiring photo identification for all voters;
- Verifying that all individuals who register to vote are U.S. citizens;
- Requiring individuals who register by mail to appear in person the first time they vote; and
- Conducting regular state-level audits to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls.
Sam Barloga, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party, called the letter a scare tactic used by Republicans to suppress the vote in Indiana.
“We don’t have a voter fraud problem — we have a voter participation and turnout problem,” he said. “Democrats will keep pushing for common sense reforms to make it easier to vote in Indiana. This includes expanding early voting options, more vote by mail options, and keeping polls open later for the thousands of Hoosiers who work after 6pm. Indiana should always strive to be in the Top 5 of national rankings — not the bottom of the barrel.”
It is unclear how many of the surveys were sent or to what other parts of the state. The Heritage Foundation did not respond to a list of questions sent on Tuesday from the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
The survey includes a link to Heritage’s election fraud database which has more than 1,500 examples of election irregularities nationwide.
Numerous national reports have found isolated — not systemic, widespread — voter fraud.
Indiana’s list includes 47 cases going back to 2003. In the 2022 general election, for instance, 1.8 million votes were cast. Some of the charges involved were fraudulent use of absentee ballots, ballot petition fraud and false registrations.
The first example on the list is a man who was charged in 2023 with a felony count of filing a fraudulent report, and two felony counts of voting outside precinct residence. At issue was whether he was legally allowed to vote in Clark County after selling his home. Charges were dismissed after he completed a diversion program.
A 2019 example also involved two men who filed absentee ballot requests in other voters’ names. Election officials caught the fraud before any votes were cast. Both received suspended sentences.
The letter asks voters to fill out the survey and enclose a donation “to help lead the fight against the corruption of our election by forces that seek to take power by any means necessary.”
One of the survey questions asks whether you agree that individuals who register to vote by mail should be required to appear in person the first time they vote to verify their identity, therefore ensuring they comply with federal and state laws.
Another question asks whether all states should conduct regular audits to remove ineligible voters from voter rolls. States already have voter list maintenance to purge ineligible voters.
By Niki Kelly — The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
